What goes in this empty corner of my dining room?
April 19, 2018 10:57 AM Subscribe
We've got a dining room that's 90% complete, except for one corner that really needs something. In this photo, it's the corner on the left.
The previous owners of the house had a pinball machine there. And while we're both fans of quirkiness, we already have other things in adjacent rooms that qualify as quirky, so we're trying to limit those elements to accents.
Here's another view of the empty corner in question.
In that same room, we already have a large bar cart/baker's cart, as well as a credenza with some art--you can see it on the right in the first image.
Ultimately, whatever we put in that empty corner will need to play well with these other items.
Please also be as specific as possible with your recommendations. If you can share a photo or link, even better.
The previous owners of the house had a pinball machine there. And while we're both fans of quirkiness, we already have other things in adjacent rooms that qualify as quirky, so we're trying to limit those elements to accents.
Here's another view of the empty corner in question.
In that same room, we already have a large bar cart/baker's cart, as well as a credenza with some art--you can see it on the right in the first image.
Ultimately, whatever we put in that empty corner will need to play well with these other items.
Please also be as specific as possible with your recommendations. If you can share a photo or link, even better.
Best answer: A big tall happy plant. That's the perfect corner for a plant.
posted by sockermom at 11:01 AM on April 19, 2018 [57 favorites]
posted by sockermom at 11:01 AM on April 19, 2018 [57 favorites]
Small china cabinet?
Overall, the room looks nice. Like the paint color!
posted by praemunire at 11:01 AM on April 19, 2018 [1 favorite]
Overall, the room looks nice. Like the paint color!
posted by praemunire at 11:01 AM on April 19, 2018 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Definitely a big plant--a parlor palm would do well in that spot (it looks like you get decent light but they do well in even low light conditions, hence the name). Fiddle leaf figs are very popular right now and probably easy to find.
posted by lovableiago at 11:05 AM on April 19, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by lovableiago at 11:05 AM on April 19, 2018 [3 favorites]
Best answer: Yeah, I'd say a nice, big plant. Fiddle leaf fig, maybe?
posted by stillmoving at 11:06 AM on April 19, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by stillmoving at 11:06 AM on April 19, 2018 [3 favorites]
Best answer: I am on team plant. And your home is beautiful.
posted by anya32 at 11:09 AM on April 19, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by anya32 at 11:09 AM on April 19, 2018 [1 favorite]
3rding a big/tall plant*. I'd also add a circular mirror on the wall with the window to give it some more visual interest.
*if you're not averse to shopping at Walmart, they always have high-quality/healthy indoor plants--and at least where I live, they currently have a lot of well-priced and mature parlor palms for sale.
posted by stellaluna at 11:09 AM on April 19, 2018 [5 favorites]
*if you're not averse to shopping at Walmart, they always have high-quality/healthy indoor plants--and at least where I live, they currently have a lot of well-priced and mature parlor palms for sale.
posted by stellaluna at 11:09 AM on April 19, 2018 [5 favorites]
Def a big ass plant - there's good fake ones out there too.
Otherwise possibly a vintage corner shelf or cabinet - also with some plants possibly as I think green is good on that color. (Super jealous.)
posted by Crystalinne at 11:20 AM on April 19, 2018 [2 favorites]
Otherwise possibly a vintage corner shelf or cabinet - also with some plants possibly as I think green is good on that color. (Super jealous.)
posted by Crystalinne at 11:20 AM on April 19, 2018 [2 favorites]
Large plant is good. Also a nice large corner shelf would do if you still want some storage in that space and you can put plants on some of the shelves.
posted by fantasticness at 11:22 AM on April 19, 2018
posted by fantasticness at 11:22 AM on April 19, 2018
I've heard the Target fake Fiddle leaf fig looks quite natural in person.
We put a fake cactus from IKEA in our dining room corner (since the photo is has been strewn in white lights).
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 11:25 AM on April 19, 2018
We put a fake cactus from IKEA in our dining room corner (since the photo is has been strewn in white lights).
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 11:25 AM on April 19, 2018
Agree with the plant idea but you could put a couple spare chairs there as well. If you find some as cute and funky as your current chairs, all the better.
posted by amanda at 11:25 AM on April 19, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by amanda at 11:25 AM on April 19, 2018 [2 favorites]
I like either the big plant idea, or an A-line corner piece with open shelves and an assortment of smaller plants, something that's a combo of wood and metal in the same shades/style as the chair at the end of the table in the first photo.
your home is gorgeous and i am consumed with jealousy
posted by poffin boffin at 11:28 AM on April 19, 2018 [4 favorites]
your home is gorgeous and i am consumed with jealousy
posted by poffin boffin at 11:28 AM on April 19, 2018 [4 favorites]
A big lamp (either instead of or as well as a big plant, I think both could work). Then you get the bonus of extra lighting level options too.
posted by terretu at 11:29 AM on April 19, 2018
posted by terretu at 11:29 AM on April 19, 2018
It's so lovely in that corner with the windows. You could go "reading nook" type thing with a chair and reading light. Use the chair for extra seating at the table when necessary. Works with or without a plant.
We have a tall wine cabinet in our corner that is like that.
posted by dpx.mfx at 11:34 AM on April 19, 2018 [1 favorite]
We have a tall wine cabinet in our corner that is like that.
posted by dpx.mfx at 11:34 AM on April 19, 2018 [1 favorite]
Yep, tall plant. Maybe a Meyer lemon tree.
posted by kevinbelt at 11:35 AM on April 19, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by kevinbelt at 11:35 AM on April 19, 2018 [1 favorite]
I would go with a corner china cabinet with some decorative serving-ware that's functional but also serves as sculpture on view. Something like this but in a style and finish that better matches the table and existing cabinet.
posted by Candleman at 11:42 AM on April 19, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by Candleman at 11:42 AM on April 19, 2018 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I'm on Team Big Plant! And your dining room is beautiful!!
posted by mccxxiii at 11:44 AM on April 19, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by mccxxiii at 11:44 AM on April 19, 2018 [1 favorite]
Folding screen, with a big plant in front.
posted by Green Eyed Monster at 11:45 AM on April 19, 2018
posted by Green Eyed Monster at 11:45 AM on April 19, 2018
Yep, a plant.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 11:46 AM on April 19, 2018
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 11:46 AM on April 19, 2018
I have a similar corner in my dining room and I've placed a really gorgeous waist-high metal winerack there, which has a circular top that I then have a nice plant on top of. I just looked quickly and couldn't find a picture (I think I got it at a quirky non-chain shop), but here are some similar suggestions. I really like the winerack idea because a) dining room and b) your bar rack looks like it's at capacity ; )
There are a lot of nice ones on this site - I'm particularly partial to the curvy flowery one linked to by Sara Turn (can't figure out how to link directly). Or how about this? This one is meant to go in a corner, and you could put a plant on top? Not the best links but hopefully gives you an idea.
I wouldn't go with one with a square top if you can help it, since you already have some sharp angles in the room.
posted by widdershins at 11:48 AM on April 19, 2018
There are a lot of nice ones on this site - I'm particularly partial to the curvy flowery one linked to by Sara Turn (can't figure out how to link directly). Or how about this? This one is meant to go in a corner, and you could put a plant on top? Not the best links but hopefully gives you an idea.
I wouldn't go with one with a square top if you can help it, since you already have some sharp angles in the room.
posted by widdershins at 11:48 AM on April 19, 2018
I'm not so much biased in favor of plants as I am inclined to put plants in every conceivable location (also some of the inconceivable ones), but that sure does look like a plant corner to me.
(I wrote a big thing of recommendations and then thought, wait, maybe yellowcandy doesn't want to put a plant there. So let me know if you want me to MeMail or post the list of plants that I think would work.)
posted by Spathe Cadet at 11:56 AM on April 19, 2018 [1 favorite]
(I wrote a big thing of recommendations and then thought, wait, maybe yellowcandy doesn't want to put a plant there. So let me know if you want me to MeMail or post the list of plants that I think would work.)
posted by Spathe Cadet at 11:56 AM on April 19, 2018 [1 favorite]
As much as I love bookcases and plants consider a tall thin slightly scandalous sculpture.
posted by sammyo at 12:02 PM on April 19, 2018 [14 favorites]
posted by sammyo at 12:02 PM on April 19, 2018 [14 favorites]
I'm also in favor of a big plant. We have a rubber plant in our dining room that has grown to over 6' from a spindly little thing. It thrives despite my terrible care. It's monstrously large and somehow makes the room more cozy. I adore it.
posted by Miss Matheson at 12:25 PM on April 19, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by Miss Matheson at 12:25 PM on April 19, 2018 [2 favorites]
Seconding a tall, to-the-ceiling, rubber tree plant, or a narrow, gold/warm-metal sculpture of a figure. Again, to the ceiling.
posted by Vaike at 12:40 PM on April 19, 2018
posted by Vaike at 12:40 PM on April 19, 2018
We have a chaise longue in a corner of our diningroom, which we privately refer to as "the breakfast couch". Sort of a fainting couch for when the day is or was daunting. Also where one of us is reading when the other is using the table as a worktable. Also it's a middle-sized piece of furniture with interesting lines.
posted by clew at 1:28 PM on April 19, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by clew at 1:28 PM on April 19, 2018 [1 favorite]
I was #teamplant until I saw sammyo's #teamscandaloussculpture.
I vote a multi-level plant stand with potted plants on some levels, and definitely a scandalous sculpture or two. (Bonus, small plants are easier to replace than big ones if you have a knack of killing them.)
posted by Liesl at 1:32 PM on April 19, 2018
I vote a multi-level plant stand with potted plants on some levels, and definitely a scandalous sculpture or two. (Bonus, small plants are easier to replace than big ones if you have a knack of killing them.)
posted by Liesl at 1:32 PM on April 19, 2018
Plants feh whatcha want is a suit of armor where you can pose it with its arms outstretched and put a tray on the arms and serve stuff off the tray on the arms of the armor.
Hubert, you can call it, or Lurch, or another good butlery name. It doesn't even need to be stormtrooper armor.
More seriously: what's in the credenza? If you need a place for your fancypants dishes and serving items and there is a junior version of that credenza, put it there and fill it with fancypants dishes so they don't fill up your kitchen but are still handy. You could still put a plant on top of it.
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace at 1:33 PM on April 19, 2018 [4 favorites]
Hubert, you can call it, or Lurch, or another good butlery name. It doesn't even need to be stormtrooper armor.
More seriously: what's in the credenza? If you need a place for your fancypants dishes and serving items and there is a junior version of that credenza, put it there and fill it with fancypants dishes so they don't fill up your kitchen but are still handy. You could still put a plant on top of it.
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace at 1:33 PM on April 19, 2018 [4 favorites]
First of all, that artichoke painting is gorgeous and so is the rest of your room. I like the big plant idea, it seems perfect, but I would only keep it till I'd found a statement art-piece level lamp. It might be something like an Isamu Noguchi light sculpture, but they have been copied a lot and may seem tired to some eyes.
This is a bit more scandalous, and you might be able to find other pieces by Ingo Maurer.
posted by mumimor at 1:49 PM on April 19, 2018 [2 favorites]
This is a bit more scandalous, and you might be able to find other pieces by Ingo Maurer.
posted by mumimor at 1:49 PM on April 19, 2018 [2 favorites]
Plant or China cabinet.
posted by raccoon409 at 2:40 PM on April 19, 2018
posted by raccoon409 at 2:40 PM on April 19, 2018
Something in the Ficus family would pair nicely with the painting on the left. Ficus Benjamina does well in O.K. light. You'd need to rotate it periodically, but that'd be the same with any living plant.
posted by dws at 3:08 PM on April 19, 2018
posted by dws at 3:08 PM on April 19, 2018
A pretty cabinet for your Moet et Chandon. And a smaller plant, on a knee-height plinth. Because that's a lot of space. And you need to bust it up, not have it be dominated by One Thing.
posted by seanmpuckett at 3:35 PM on April 19, 2018
posted by seanmpuckett at 3:35 PM on April 19, 2018
A plant will look great because it adds texture to the room. The room would benefit from an additional textural "layer" to feel (even) more polished and finished. Textural balance/contrast is why your lighting fixture looks so good in conjunction with the big cubes of furniture. You also need something tall and slender to add contrast and balance. A big plant will do that, too.
If you are on Team I'm Not Keeping A Giant Plant Alive, try an urn or vase with a bunch of tall, slender sticks. Here's another good example with a more traditional style. Use the proportion 1/3 vase to 2/3 sticks to look best. Or, go vase-free and have a bundle of willow (or something similar) with a simple band around the middle and fan out the base so it stands up. It looks elegant and sculptural. I once had curly willow in an urn, and come Xmas I would hang a few vintage ornaments on it -- it looked just whimsical enough to be fun, but still graceful and classy.
posted by missmary6 at 4:14 PM on April 19, 2018
If you are on Team I'm Not Keeping A Giant Plant Alive, try an urn or vase with a bunch of tall, slender sticks. Here's another good example with a more traditional style. Use the proportion 1/3 vase to 2/3 sticks to look best. Or, go vase-free and have a bundle of willow (or something similar) with a simple band around the middle and fan out the base so it stands up. It looks elegant and sculptural. I once had curly willow in an urn, and come Xmas I would hang a few vintage ornaments on it -- it looked just whimsical enough to be fun, but still graceful and classy.
posted by missmary6 at 4:14 PM on April 19, 2018
A large cabinet would balance with the large painting nicely. This one or this one have two things I really like: cremone bolt latches and the height at 91 inches. To get the membership price at Restoration Hardware you just have to pay $100 for a one year membership. I like this one, too.
posted by waving at 4:46 PM on April 19, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by waving at 4:46 PM on April 19, 2018 [2 favorites]
That chandelier is wonderful. Perhaps you could paint its silhouette into the corner walls or apply a stencil like this.
posted by firstdrop at 9:04 PM on April 19, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by firstdrop at 9:04 PM on April 19, 2018 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by goatdog at 11:00 AM on April 19, 2018 [10 favorites]